Capo di Noli — Real or a fairy tale setting?

Paul Signac, Capo di Noli

A Kim Jong-Il Production by Paul Fisher

A Kim Jong-Il Production:
The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power 
by Paul Fischer

This is a fascinating look inside North Korea but also at the power of movies.

Kim Jong-Il realized when young that he who wields the stories, wields the power. Using his passion for movies, Kim managed to become his father's favorite (and successor), revolutionize North Korean cinema, and be "Dear Leader" of his captive Hermit Kingdom. He had a higher goal, however, which was to gain the respect and acceptance of other countries.

He decided to follow in the footsteps of the Japanese who had used their post-WWII film industry to help regain favorable world standing. The problem was that North Korean film didn't have what it needed to make this happen. But South Korea did. So, of course, he had to kidnap a heralded South Korean director and famous actress in order to do it.

This is one nutty story and the fact that it is well documented and true just makes it even nuttier. It's one of those books that make you annoy everyone around you by telling them the amazing tidbits that arise every other page. For example, Kim thought that the James Bond films were essentially docudramas and planned espionage missions accordingly. (Ok, that's the last time I'll do that to you.)

I knew next to nothing about North Korea before reading this book. The story itself is amazing but also saddening when the North Koreans' lives were detailed. My favorite part was once the movies were being shown to the Korean public. Movies have a power that even the most movie-savvy dictator can't predict and can influence real life in a way no one can imagine.

I was the last person in our family to read this and really appreciate the heroic efforts that Hannah, Tom, and Rose made to not talk about it before I got my hands on it.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

The story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.

The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant.

I am really grateful that this book was selected for my Catholic women's book club. I'd certainly never have picked it up otherwise.

It paints a vivid picture of America in that time and what it means to be American specifically for one of the boys on the crew, of Hitler's Olympics and the whitewashing of Germany in preparation, and is inspirational about a lot of things we've forgotten today and need to remember.

I'm especially impressed at the way the author takes us through a similar journey to that of Joe, the main crew member who is focused on. We initially see alternating chapters about Joe's life, which is really tough, and the assembling of the crew over several years. As we get closer to the U.S. races and the Olympics, Joe's particular story is not as prominent as he becomes one with the crew, and realizes just what it is that he is representing. The author is skilled in putting us in a like frame of mind.

I certainly never thought I'd be moved to tears by a boat race but it happened. More than once. Even knowing how it turns out didn't reduce my tension ... I couldn't put it down.

Worth a Thousand Words: Lost in Africa

Lost in Africa: A Yarn of Adventure. Frederick Horatio Winder

I guess it is a sign of our times that I looked at the fellow in the lower right corner and, just for a second, thought he was on his cell phone.

Well Said: Myths Woven By Us

We have come from God and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of true light, the eternal truth that is with God.

J.R.R. Tolkien

I think we all know I'm 100% with Tolkien on this one. In fact, he taught it to me.

Well Said: the whole world once very nearly died of broadmindedness and the brotherhood of all religions

Nobody understands the nature of the Church, or the ringing note of the creed descending from antiquity, who does not realize that the whole world once very nearly died of broadmindedness and the brotherhood of all religions.

G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man

Of course, as with practically everything Chesterton ever wrote, this comes with pages and pages of context which would cross the average blog reader's eyes. And mine too if I weren't very slowly reading this book a little every morning. He's talking about Rome and all their broadminded acceptance of different religions as long as one was willing to give lip service to the emperor as God. This book seems a bit like Chesterton's continuation of Augustine's City of God in some ways. I say that without my having done more than listen to a class on City of God, but it will be the next big book of theology I begin after finishing this one.

Worth a Thousand Words: Whataburger Trot Thru

Two women getting their food on at a Whataburger in Corpus Christi
appeared in the Corpus Christi Caller newspaper
Via Traces of Texas

Burgers, Texas-style.

Worth a Thousand Words: Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl, Remo Savisaar

Lagniappe: Heinlein vs. Golding

It seems obvious that Tunnel in the Sky is a direct response to William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Indeed, I imagine Heinlein putting down Golding's book and heading straight for the typewriter grinding his teeth and muttering, "Revert to savagery my ass!"

Jo Walton, tor.com., Beware of Stabor!

This makes me laugh every time.

Worth a Thousand Words: A Love Story

E. Phillips Fox, A Love Story, 1903

This is like a dream of the perfect summer day.

Well Said: The Catholic Church and the Mood of the Age

The Catholic Church never suits the particular mood of any age, because it was made for all ages. A Catholic knows that if the Church married the mood of any age in which it lived, it would be a widow in the next age. The mark of the true Church is that it will never get on well with the passing moods of the world. "I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you" – John 15:19.

Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Love One Another

Hannah & Rose discuss the why death is the best bureaucrat as they try to escape him

The Rube Goldberg machine of death ... in the kitchen. Love that cold open! Hannah and Rose serve up another terrible movie, in the most entertaining way. More is More, Episode 19, Final Destination (2000).

The Taming of the Shrew - Shakespeare in the Park

We saw this last night at the Shakespeare in the Park. I really liked the production. I was especially impressed by the way that Katherine's taming was portrayed as an understanding between equals by the end. And her final speech about women and wives hearkened back to Petruchio's harangue that his wife is his land, his barn, etc. At the time it comes off as a shocking piece of condescension, but by the end we realize it is the bookend to Katherine's realizations. Very nicely played.

We hadn't been for years and so were a bit worried about how hot it would be but, as we've discovered in the past, once the sun goes down it was quite breezy and surprisingly comfortable. Also not crowded on Thursday. So go!

Chris Pratt's MTV speech: "God is real. God loves you, God wants the best for you. Believe that, I do."

Nobody is perfect. People will tell you that you are perfect just the way that you are, you are not! You are imperfect. You always will be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you are willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. Like the freedom that we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else's blood. Do not forget that. Don't take that for granted.

Chris Pratt received the MTV Generation Award and took the opportunity to speak to the next generation as an elder. He mixed toilet humor (literally) with straight talk about soul, God, prayer, and more. I know Pratt is a Christian but I was surprised at how many of his 9 rules for life spoke directly about God.

Worth a Thousand Words: Father Time

Edmund Dulac, Father Time, 1906

Well Said: "Come on, you Christians, be a little more normal..."

“How many times do we hear: ‘Come on, you Christians, be a little bit more normal, like other people, be reasonable!’ This is real snake charmer’s talk: ‘Come on, just be like this, okay? A little bit more normal, don’t be so rigid ...’ But behind it is this: ‘Don’t come here with your stories, that God became man!’ The Incarnation of the Word, that is the scandal behind all of this! We can do all the social work we want, and they will say: ‘How great the Church is, it does such good social work.” But if we say that we are doing it because those people are the flesh of Christ, then comes the scandal. And that is the truth, that is the revelation of Jesus: that presence of Jesus incarnate.”

Pope Francis, Encountering Truth: Meeting God in the Everyday

Do we choose the approval of society, of the world? Or do we choose the scandal of the Cross? It's actually funny that we can be approved of for helping others, but once the reason behind it is revealed, then it's all a bit suspicious.

Pistachio and Yogurt Chicken Curry

Another home run from Made in India by Meera Sodha. This is a rich, spice-filled, flavorful chicken curry which fills the house with a tempting aroma. I can't stress how much we all loved this.

Get it at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Worth a Thousand Words: Maiden with a Laurel Wreath

Henry Ryland, Maiden with a Laurel Wreath
via Lines and Colors

This picture was so arresting when I swung by Lines and Colors that I just had to share it here. Be sure to follow the link and see the other Henry Ryland paintings featured.

Well Said: I ask forgiveness ...

I ask forgiveness of anyone I have offended, but especially from those I have not influenced for good.

Pope John XXIII

Amen.

Fish or Cut Bait - Thank You!

My sincere thanks for the wonderful surprise when I opened my mail today and found this from my wish list! I've been enjoying Cool and Lam as perfect summer reading and they are just obscure enough that it is hard to get your hands on many of them. Thank you!